We know a thing or two about cities at , but there is actually more to life than the lively, buzzing streets of ultra-modern metropolises – sometimes you just want a bit of quaint tranquillity.
Thankfully, every year UN Tourism releases a list of the world’s ‘best tourism villages’, which is curated based on destinations which are doing the most outstanding work when it comes to preserving their culture, community and traditions through tourism projects.
We reported on the open call for villages that the organisation announced earlier this year, but now the best villages to visit in 2025 have been revealed (though it’s not a ranking – they’re listed in alphabetical order).
The most exciting thing is that all corners of the planet get included in the list. Three villages in Mexico have been highlighted: Capulálpam de Méndez, which is nestled in the mountains of Oaxaca state, Cuatro Ciénegas de Carranza, which is famous for its springs and swamps, and Palizada, which is full of vibrantly painted colonial-era architecture.
Elsewhere, Splügen, a tiny but stunningly scenic mountain top village was included, as was Azheke, a Chinese settlement which is home to Hani people, and is populated with straw-top houses. Read on for the full list of 55 brilliant villages to visit next year.
These are the UN’s 55 best tourism villages for 2025
- Abo Noghta Castles & Historic Tabab, Saudi Arabia
- Abu Ghosoun, Egypt
- Aínsa, Spain
- Amagi, Japan
- Anogeia, Greece
- Azheke, China
- Bo Suak, Thailand
- Capulálpam de Méndez, Mexico
- Caviahue-Copahue, Argentina
- Cuatro Ciénegas de Carranza, Mexico
- El Tambo, Ecuador
- El Valle de Antón, Panamá
- Esfahak, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Gaiman, Argentina
- Gharb Suhayl, Egypt
- Grand Baie, Mauritius
- Guanyang, China
- Huancaya, Peru
- Jardín, Colombia
- Jatiluwih, Indonesia
- Kalopanagiotis, Cyprus
- Leymebamba, Peru
- Mindo, Ecuador
- Mura, Spain
- Nishikawa, Japan
- Óbidos, Portugal
- Ormana, Türkiye
- Palizada, Mexico
- Pissouri, Cyprus
- Portobelo, Panama
- Pueblo de Maras, Peru
- Quinua, Peru
- Ralco, Chile
- Roches Noires, Mauritius
- Romoos, Switzerland
- Ruboni, Uganda
- San Casciano dei Bagni, Italy
- San Juan del Obispo, Guatemala
- San Rafael de la Laguna, Ecuador
- Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Portugal
- Shibadong, China
- Sibayo, Peru
- Splügen, Switzerland
- St. Johann in Tirol, Austria
- Taoping, China
- Tra Que Vegetable Village, Viet Nam
- Trevelin, Argentina
- Uaxactún, Guatemala
- Urych, Ukraine
- Villa Tulumba, Argentina
- Vorokhta, Ukraine
- Wukirsari, Indonesia
- Xiaogang, China
- Xitou, China
- Yandunjiao, China
You can read all about the UN initiative on the website here, and check out the villages which were spotlighted last year here.
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